New Suzuki Equator en route

The brand-new Equator is from Suzuki, but it’s being built by Nissan. Base prices for 2009 will range from $17,995 to $31,375.

Prices for Suzuki’s all-new compact Equator pickup for 2009 begin at $17,995 (including freight) for the base two-wheel-drive extended-cab model with four-cylinder engine and manual transmission, and $23,985 for the crew-cab version, which comes only with an automatic gearbox and V-6 engine, the automaker announced this week.

The new truck, which is now on its way to dealers, is based on the chassis of the Nissan Frontier and is built for Suzuki by Nissan at a plant near Nashville, Tenn.

Suzuki also announced that its updated 2009 Grand Vitara compact sport utility vehicle will begin at $19,249 (with freight) for the base two-wheel-drive four-cylinder model and at $20,349 with an automatic.

The new Grand Vitara also is arriving now at dealerships. For 2009, a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine has been added as the base power plant, replacing last year’s 2.7-liter V-6.

Ratings for the four-cylinder are 166 horsepower and 162 foot-pounds of torque, and it offers much improved fuel economy of 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway with the five-speed manual gearbox and 19/25 with the automatic for two-wheel-drive models.

With four-wheel drive, the EPA estimates are 19 city/25 highway with the manual and 19/23 with the automatic.

There is a new optional V-6 engine for 2009, a 3.2-liter that puts out 230 horsepower and 213 foot-pounds of torque. That compares with 185 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds for the 2.7-liter V-6 it replaced.

As for the Equator pickup, prices range as high as $31,375 for the top-end RMZ four-wheel-drive crew-cab model with a 5-foot cargo bed. But four-wheel-drive models begin at $26,270 for the extended-cab Premium version with a 6-foot bed.

Crew-cab models have four full-size doors and room for five adults.

With the Grand Vitara, four-wheel-drive models begin at $21,099 for the four-cylinder version with manual transmission and $22,199 with automatic.

The V-6 models start at $23,749 for two-wheel drive and $25,499 with four-wheel drive. With the V-6, only the five-speed automatic transmission is available.

During a recent national media ride-and-drive program in downtown San Antonio and on the Knibbe Ranch in Spring Branch, I drove both the four- and six-cylinder versions of the Grand Vitara.

With the four-cylinder, there was more than adequate power for everyday use. But for those who need or just want extra zip, the V-6 is quite pleasing.

Surprisingly, even with a 45-horsepower increase over the 2.7-liter V-6 from last year’s model, the fuel economy of the new V-6 has improved slightly. EPA ratings are 18 city/24 highway with two-wheel drive and 17/23 with four-wheel drive. That compares with 17/22 and 17/21, respectively, for the 2008 models.

Two four-wheel-drive systems are offered on the Grand Vitara. One is a single-mode system intended for snow driving and light off-road use, while the other is a four-mode system with electronic on-the-fly shifting and a transfer case for low-range operation.

During a test on a fun off-road route through the Knibbe Ranch, the four-mode system worked perfectly to take the Grand Vitara through two Guadalupe River crossings (of at least a foot deep) and both a mud bog and a steep uphill climb.

The vehicle performed as well off the road as a stock Jeep Wrangler, yet it’s much more comfortable and family-friendly.

As for the Equator pickup, it’s aimed at Suzuki’s motorcycle, water-sports and all-terrain-vehicle customers who need a truck to haul their toys, said Gene Brown, the company’s marketing vice president.

Suzuki has 2 million motorcycle, marine and ATV owners in the United States, and surveys have shown that they are 50 percent more likely than other consumers to buy pickups, Brown said.

Although it is a Nissan underneath, the Equator’s styling, interiors and other elements have been developed by Suzuki to satisfy the needs of the company’s customers, he said. Those elements are unique to the Equator and help differentiate it from the Frontier.

Bed lengths of 5 feet or 6 feet are offered to accommodate those who want to carry their motorcycles or water toys, Suzuki said.

Engine choices include a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder with 152 horsepower and 171 foot-pounds of torque, available only on the extended-cab model, or a 4.0-liter V-6 with 261 horsepower and 281 foot-pounds of torque, standard on the crew cab.

The V-6 has an aluminum block; but for durability, it includes cast-iron cylinder liners, a forged-steel crankshaft and Teflon-coated pistons. It also has variable valve timing and a “silent two-stage timing chain,” Suzuki says. A five-speed automatic transmission is available with the four-cylinder engine and standard with the V-6. A five-speed manual is standard with the four-cylinder.

Available is a shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case, along with an off-road traction system that includes an electronic locking rear differential, hill-descent control and hill-start assist.

Equators come with a fully boxed frame with a 125.9-inch wheelbase for both the extended-cab and crew-cab models. Overall length is 205.5 inches for both models.

Other features include speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and a variety of available wheel and tire packages.

With the four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission, EPA ratings are 17 city/22 highway for two-wheel-drive models; with the manual gearbox, 19/23.

V-6 models are rated at 15 city/20 highway with two-wheel-drive and 15/19 with four-wheel drive.